We demonstrate a new method to automatically recover and stabilize a drone from any initial condition, without GPS. On the one hand, this new technology will allow drones to be launched by simply tossing them in the air, like a “baseball”. On the other hand, it will make drones much safer since they can recover stable flight after a system failure. This is crucial for commercial use of drones, such as parcel delivery.

Our quadrotor is equipped with a single camera, an inertial measurement unit, and a distance sensor (Teraranger One). Since we use only onboard sensors and no GPS, the method works both indoors and outdoors.